In a clinical display led by Virat Kohli’s mastery in yet another run chase, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) moved to the summit of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 points table with a commanding six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Raipur. While Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s steady 71 had anchored KKR to a competitive 192/4, it was Virat Kohli’s breathtaking unbeaten 105 - his ninth IPL century - that turned a challenging chase into a celebration for RCB and their fans.

The victory propelled RCB to 16 points, placing them at the top of the table on net run rate. For KKR, the defeat leaves them struggling at the bottom half of the table, needing a string of wins in their remaining fixtures to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

Opting to field first, RCB struck early as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood found movement under the Raipur lights. Finn Allen (18) provided a brief powerplay blast before being dismissed by Bhuvneshwar, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (19) soon followed.

 

 

 

 

 

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At 48/2, the Knight Riders needed a recovery, and they found it in the young Angkrish Raghuvanshi once again.

Raghuvanshi played a calculated yet aggressive knock, anchoring the innings with 71 off 46 balls. He stitched together a vital 68-run stand with Cameron Green (32) and followed it up with a 76-run partnership with Rinku Singh. Rinku provided the late-overs impetus, smashing an unbeaten 49 off just 29 deliveries, including two superb sixes. Despite a disciplined middle spell from Rasikh Dar, KKR finished strongly at 192/4, setting what appeared to be a formidable target.

 

 

 

 

 

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Chasing 193 for victory, RCB faced an early setback when Kartik Tyagi dismissed Jacob Bethell in the fourth over. However, Virat Kohli, coming off consecutive ducks, looked in supreme touch from the first delivery. Kohli took on the KKR pace attack with clinical precision, finding the gaps with ease and keeping the required rate well under control.

The defining phase of the chase was a 59-ball 92-run second-wicket partnership between Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal (39). Padikkal played the perfect foil, punishing anything short before eventually falling to Tyagi. While KKR managed to pick up the wickets of skipper Rajat Patidar (11) and Tim David - courtesy of an incredible catch from Manish Pandey - to momentarily stem the flow of runs, Kohli remained the immovable force at the other end.

As the game entered the final stages, Kohli shifted gears. He reached his fifty off 32 balls and then surged toward his century. His unbeaten 105 off 60 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and three towering sixes, was a masterclass in pacing a chase.

 

 

 

 

 

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Despite a tight spell from Sunil Narine (1/31) and Tyagi’s impressive 3/32, Kohli ensured there were no further stutters. He reached a record-extending ninth IPL century in the 19th over, equalling the record for the most hundreds while chasing (three) in the tournament's history.

 

 

 

 

 

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Jitesh Sharma provided the finishing touch with a boundary as RCB crossed the finish line with five balls to spare.